CHI WHITE SOX: 2017: 67-95, fourth place.
MANAGER: Rick Renteria (second season).
ADDITIONS: RHP Miguel Gonzalez, C Welington Castillo.
SUBTRACTIONS: LHP Derek Holland, RHP Mike Pelfrey, RHP Al Alburquerque, RHP Jake Petricka, C Geovany Soto, OF-2B Alen Hanson, RHP Zach Putnam.
OUTLOOK: For a team with five straight losing seasons and a record that ranked among baseball's worst last year, the White Sox are generating plenty of buzz. That's because they're loaded with promising young players after going all-in on a rebuild prior to last season. The moves have sparked a belief that better days are ahead. Moncada and hard-throwing pitchers Giolito and Lopez showed promise in the majors last season. Right-hander Michael Kopech, outfielder Eloy Jimenez and outfielder Luis Robert are elite prospects on their way in the minors. Garcia, coming off a breakout season, is looking to prove he's not a one-hit wonder. Anderson hopes to bounce back from a trying season in which a close friend was shot to death. Abreu is back after the slugger was viewed as a potential trade candidate this winter. Left-hander Carlos Rodon is expected to be out until at least June following shoulder surgery last September. It's not clear when he'll be ready. Rodon also was sidelined at the start a year ago because of shoulder and biceps problems. The big question is whether he'll ever develop into the pitcher the White Sox envisioned when they drafted him with the No. 3 overall pick in 2014.

BALTIMORE: 2017: 75-87, fifth place.
MANAGER: Buck Showalter (ninth season).
ADDITIONS: RHP Alex Cobb, RHP Andrew Cashner, OF Colby Rasmus, LHP Nestor Cortes Jr., C Andrew Susac, INF Engelb Vielma, OF Austin Hays.
SUBTRACTIONS: C Welington Castillo, SS J.J. Hardy, RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, LHP Wade Miley, RHP Jeremy Hellickson.
OUTLOOK: The Orioles were 25-16 and in first place last year before fading to their first losing season since 2011. The prospect for improvement will rest on a power-laden lineup that needs Davis and Trumbo to rebound from poor performances, but both sluggers fought through injuries this spring and Trumbo will be on the disabled list on opening day. With a shaky rotation and a bullpen that is without injured closer Zach Britton, the Orioles must score plenty of runs to make some noise in the AL East. Baltimore's defense, usually a strong point, was not particularly efficient in 2017. The team addressed the problem by switching Machado to shortstop and working hard on fundamentals this spring. Most important, this could be the last season in Baltimore for Jones and Machado, whose contracts expire after 2018. If the Orioles are sputtering in July, the most intriguing aspect of the team might be whether one or both stars get jettisoned before the July 31 trade deadline.

PREVIEW

White Sox, Orioles open series with future in mind

BALTIMORE -- The series between the Chicago White Sox and the Baltimore Orioles will provide a glimpse into the future for both franchises.

The Orioles began a full rebuild of the franchise in July when they traded several key veterans, including All-Star shortstop Manny Machado and closer Zach Britton. This has allowed the team to get a look at several younger players.

Chicago has also promoted numerous minor leaguers to provide them with an opportunity to shine at the major league level. The White Sox are confident that some of these players are ready to make an immediate impact.

"When you have depth in the organization and there's competition for roles in your position, you don't have time to let down," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said. "There's an edge that you have to develop in order to be able to compete."

The White Sox (57-89) snapped a seven-game skid with a 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals in 12 innings Wednesday night. They enjoyed a day off before heading to Baltimore.

The Orioles avoided a three-game sweep at the hands of the Oakland Athletics with a 5-3 victory Thursday night. Baltimore (42-104) also snapped a six-game losing streak.

"It's always this time of the year you wonder about (running out of gas), you worry about it, especially with young guys who are pitching in the time of year they've never pitched before, most of them," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "But there's a different type of toll it takes sometimes. That's also part of the evaluation of some of the young pitchers. You're looking for that guy who can do certain things this time of year."

So far, Baltimore has 14 players who made their major league debut this season, tying the franchise record set in 1955.

The Orioles keep that trend going this weekend and rookie Luis Ortiz will make his debut as a starter in the opener against Chicago. Ortiz was part of a July trade with Milwaukee for second baseman Jonathan Schoop.

Baltimore is dealing with a couple key injuries with Andrew Cashner (knee) and Alex Cobb (blister) expected to miss at least their next start. The Orioles are expected to bring up another pitcher this weekend for depth.

"I look at it as a chance to see some other people we wouldn't have, OK?" Showalter said. "I really do."

Chicago will counter with James Shields (6-16, 4.58 ERA). The right-hander needs 13 1/3 innings for his 10th career season with at least 200 innings pitched. He is 11-8 with a 3.85 ERA in 28 starts versus Baltimore, including 7-2, 3.81 in 13 outings at Camden Yards.

Shields took the loss in his last outing against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing six and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings.

"I didn't really feel strong in the bullpen," he said after the game. "It was just one of those days where you don't have very good stuff. I wish I would've went deeper in the game, but unfortunately that's the way it goes sometimes."

White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada was held out of the lineup with a sore hip in the finale against the Royals, but should be available against the Orioles. Infielder Matt Davidson also has been held out of the lineup with "sore knees" and his status for the weekend is uncertain.